Section 8.1: Ionosphere

Atmosphere gets thinner as you go further away
At 30 miles in altitude, gets thin enough that UV rays can knock electrons away from molecules
Gas is ionized by loss of electron, positively charged ion, negative free electron
Ion + electron respond to voltage, like electrons in conductor
Atmospheric layer - ionosphere - becomes weak conductor
Ionosphere extends to 300 miles above surface of Earth

Regions:

ISS orbits 200 miles above Earht
Ionosphere arranged into multiple layers (D, E, F layers)
D layer - 30-60 miles, only present when illuminated by sun
E layer - 60-70 miles, similar to D region, lasts longer after sunset
F layer - 100-300 miles, least dens,e partially ionized at night
- F1 layer/F2 layer - split during day, recombine at night
- Height of regions vary with season, TOD, latitude, solar activity
- F2 is highest layer, reaches highest point at noon

Flags